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Former Lincoln County Circuit Clerk Angelia Doolin has returned to the seat after being appointed to fill the vacancy left behind by Dwight Hopkins.

Hopkins was removed from the seat by the Kentucky Supreme Court on Sept. 26.

He was first elected to the seat in Nov. 2022 and served for a few months before the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) received several complaints from employees against Hopkins in March 2023. He was placed on paid administrative leave in May 2023.

Following a lengthy procedure, which included an investigation and an evidentiary hearing, the Kentucky Supreme Court ordered his removal after concluding Hopkins’ conduct constituted discrimination and unlawful workplace harassment which created a hostile work environment.

Hopkins appeared on the May ballot but was defeated by Doolin. She will be unopposed in the November general election.

After the seat was declared vacant in Sept., Doolin was appointed by Judge Marcus Vanover to fill the seat until she is formally elected in November.

Doolin was officially sworn in on Oct. 17.

After being gone for two years, Doolin said it feels great to be back.

“I’m glad to be back doing what I love,” she said.

The last two years were tumultuous as Doolin was forced to watch the office undergo investigations, often invoking her name but never being called to speak on the accusations.

Doolin said she is glad all of it is behind her.

“I’m just trying to move on. I’m ready to move forward,” she said.

Doolin said she has lived and worked in Lincoln County most of her life and is happy to be back to work in her community in a job that she loves.